Cricket fans wait in line to enter Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Police were out in full force in the southern Indian city as part of a massive security operation ahead of Pakistan's first cricket tour of India in five years. Picture: Kiran Manjunath.Source: AFP

Security was tight with thousands of paramilitary soldiers and police outside the stadium.

Analysts see the cricket series as a sign the two sides are ready to move past the bitterness that followed the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, when 10 Pakistan-based gunmen killed 166 people in a three-day rampage across the city.

It is a start.

NADAL OUT... AGAIN

Tennis - Former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal's long-awaited return after a six-month knee injury battle has been put off for just a little bit longer.

"I am really sorry but I cannot compete this year in Abu Dhabi," wrote the seven-time French Open champion and presently ranked number four in the world.

The Spaniard hasn't played since his shock second round exit to 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon in June.

Rafael Nadal's scheduled comeback has been changed because of a stomach infection.Source: AFP

He was due to join world number one Novak Djokovic and US Open champion Andy Murray among others at the three day event.

The 11-time Grand Slam title winner has been plagued by knee injuries throughout his career, a legacy of his all-action style.

TITLE HOPES REST ON VAN PERSIE

Soccer - Alex Ferguson doesn't really like to subscribe to the cult of an individual, but there's just something special about Robin van Persie.

So that's why Fergie has hailed the 29-year-old as the missing piece in Manchester United's title jigsaw.

Van Persie made a superb start to his United career after leaving Arsenal in a $37.85 million move in pre-season and the Dutch forward's haul of 15 goals has fired Ferguson's team four points clear of champions Manchester City.

Van Persie has added an extra edge to United in the same way that French playmaker Eric Cantona and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo galvanised previous teams in the Ferguson era.

After missing out on the title to City last season, United were in need of a new driving force this term and Ferguson believes van Persie is providing it.

"It doesn't have to be signing someone for a record fee. Cristiano Ronaldo was not a record buy either but he certainly made a difference as he prospered with us to the extent that he came to be regarded by a lot of people as the world's best player."

NBA - Rajon Rondo scored 19 points, got six rebounds and five assists as the Boston Celtics took out the Brooklyn Nets 93-76 in an NBA Christmas Day matchup.

The Celtics' four-game road trip is off to a great start, and the even pulled level with the Nets at 14-13 for the season. Both clubs now share second place in the Atlantic Division behind the New York Knicks.

Jared Sullinger scored 16 points for the Celtics while Jeff Green added 15 points and Kevin Garnett had eight points and 10 rebounds for Boston, which lost twice to Brooklyn earlier this season.

"We played firm. That's what we have got to be,'' Garnett said. ``We've got to be more consistent with what we are doing.''

OWEN AIMING TO BREAK REDS CURSE

Soccer - Michael Owen may have made his name at giants Liverpool, but since leaving he's never been able to break the barrier and score against his former team.

It's something Owen is hoping to set right when his present team Stoke host Liverpool today.

The 33-year-old former England striking great - who moved on to Real Madrid and then back to England with spells for Newcastle and Manchester United before signing for Stoke - looks alright to play after recovering from a hamstring injury which has kept him out of action since the end of October.

Stoke City striker Michael Owen sits in the stands before his showdown with Liverpool.Source: AFP

"Liverpool are a big part of my life and career and I had some of the best times of my life at the club.

"So certainly I have happy memories. I have not been so happy playing against them since; I have never scored and not particularly enjoyed it."

REVENGE ON WILD OATS' AGENDA

Sailing - Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards is confident he has just about every base covered when it comes to his Sydney to Hobart showdown against Ragamuffin Loyal.

Wild Oats XI has notched five firsts and two seconds in her seven-year history in the 628 nautical mile race, and is now just two victories off equalling the record of seven tallied by Morna/Kurrewa IV.

Bob Oatley's boat trailed Investec Loyal - as it was known in 2011 - by just three minutes in a titanic race to get to Hobart first.

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